3, 20-diketo-11, 17-dihydroxy-21-acyloxy-pregnane compounds



Fatented Oct. 20, 1953 asserts ICE warmer, ,Linaen, N. J

ca, Ina,

Jersey No i)rawine. ,Drigina l apiilic" 1950, "Serial N6. "198,916.

Rbhert P, Grabei', Westfield, aha 'Nqr man L.

airway; N. 1. superman or new 'plication February 1, 195g, sen e. stator '2 c a m 2.60 9

This invention -is concerned generally with novel steroid compounds and with processes for preparing them. More particularly, it relates to a novel process for the preparation of Ai -3,29- diketo-l1 ,-1'7,2letrihydroxirpregnene and 2 1;- acylated derivatives thereof starting with A -3-,l1 gdi-keto cyano -21 hydroxy pregnene or 21-acyl derivatives thereof, and to the intermediate compounds utilized in this novel procedure.

This 'gappiication is a division of application Serial No. 198,916, filed December 2, 1 950.

The hydroxyl groupings attached to the 11 and 1'7-'-carb0n atoms in the intermediate and fina compounds, prepared according to our novel the two angular methyl gr upig g-s and the side chain of the steroid m'olecule. The ll-hydr'oxyl radical in such compounds is conventionally designated B, and is written above the plane or the ring system; i. e. the OH radical isqor l nected to the ll-carbon atom by means of a full line in the chemical formulae of these compounds. The configuration of the l1-hydroXy1 substituent in these compounds has been found to be transposed to that of the two angular methyl groups and to the side chain of the steroid molecule. The 1'7-hydroxyl radical is cenven tion-ally designated a, and is written below the plane of the ring system; i. e. the OH radical is connected to the li-cartbn' sea by means of I a dotted line. Thus, our novel process is espe-v cially valuable in the synthesisfo'f'the natural adrenal hormone, A 3,'-20diketo-11(,B) ,17(a) ,21- trihydroxy pregnene (otherwise known as Key,-

dalls Compound F) which may be chemically represented as follows:

CHzOH Although A 3,11,20 triketo M -(at a byedroXy-2l-dihydroxy-pregnene, commonly'khown as cortisone, endits 21-acy1 derivatives have been prepared heretofore by chemical synthesis, the preparationjof Compound F, or of other cortical steroids hydroxyl-ated at position 11, utilizing, as starting material, cortisone, or other lieketo- 3 di thyl 0 lopentan p lyhydroph anthreiae compounds obtained as intermediates in the synthesis of cortisone, such as A -3,11- ike r fle yanor-l rhy r yrpr sn n has pr viously encountered an apparently insurmountable obstacle by virtue of the following chemical facts: (1) The polyfunctiona-l character of this class of steroids and the fact that such steroids ordinarily possess additional keto 'substituents in the 3 and/or Z O-pes-itiong of the molecule; (2) Eheextr-emely low reactivity (ascribed to steric hindrance) of the il -ketoesubstituent; and (-3) El e known {susceptibility of the :fi hydroxyl group at position 11 to oxidation and elimination reactions, together -with the seemingly anomalous inertness of main s) -hydroxy1 to acylating agents.

Thus, when an 11=keto=i0,13-dimethyl-cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene compound containing additional keto substituents in the 3 and/or 20-positions isredu'ced utilizin conventional methods of hydrogenation or chemical re- .eluction, it has been found that reduction of the keto radicals in the 3 and/or ZO-positions takes place preferentially to the reduction of the 11- ketone. Only by employing relatively drastic reduction conditions, is it possible to reduce the ll-keto subs? "ft and; under such drastic conditions of reduc 6n, the 3 and/or ZO-keto groupings are likewise reduced. The compounds thus obtained, in attempted syntheses of cortical steroids are l0,l3 dimethyl cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrenes' containing an 11(B)-hydroxy radical and additional hydroxy radicals thefiand/or ZO-pd'siticihs (if the molecule. Attempts to convert these 3 and/or ZO-hydroxy radioalsbyfreaction with oxidizing agents to the corresponding keto substituent's, while retaining 4' the e-hydroxy radical attached to the ll-carbon ,a tom, have not been satisfactory due to the com- QpaiatiVeIy high susceptibility of the 11(5) -hyeres group to oxidation. Anomalously, it has not been possible to protect the 11(5) -hydroxy group by acy-lation while leaving the 3 and/or 20-hydroxy radicals free to be oxidized, since the 11(5) hydroxylgrbup is subject to very pronounced sterichindrance and has resisted acylation by all methods tried (see page 408 of the text Natural, Products Related to Phenanthrene by Fiesr and Fieser, 3rd Edition, Rheinhold Publishing (30135., New York, New York, 1949).

We have nowuisc'overedthat A -3,20-diketo- 11(5),17(a),2letrihydroiiy-plegnene or its 21- acyl derivatives can be prepared, starting with A 3,11 diketo 20 cyano "21 hydroxy pregnene, or its 21-acy1 derivatives, by a novel procedure which is conducted as follows: A-

3,11 diketo 20 cyano 21 hydr'oxy pregnene, or a 21-acyl derivative thereof (Compound 1 hereinbelow) is reacted with a ketone reagent, such as hydroxylamine, semicarbazide, arylhydrazines, alkyl orthoformates, and the like, whereby the keto radical in the 3-position is replaced by an azomethine radical or by a dialkyl ketal grouping. The resulting A -3-(0ximino, semicarbazido or arylhydrazino)-11-keto-20- cyan-21-(hydr0xy or acyloxy)-pregnene (Compound 2) or A"-3,3-dialkoxy11-keto-20-cyano- 21-(hydroxy or acyloxy) pregnene (Compound 3) is then reacted with an alkali metal borohydride whereby the keto grouping attached to the ll-carbon atom of these compounds is converted to an 11(;8)-hydroxy substituent without substantially affecting the unsaturated carbon nitrogen linkages in the 20-cyano substituent, and Without affecting the azomethine or ketal grouping in the 3-position of the molecule, thereby producing A"-3(oximino, semicarbazido or arylhydrazine) 11(5) hydroxy 20 cyano 21 (hydroxy or acyloxy)pregnene (Compound 4) or A" 3,3 dialkoxy 11(5) hydroxy 20 cyano 21 (hydroxy or acyloxy) pregnene (Compound 5). The resulting A -11(B)-hydroxy cyano 21 (hydroxy or acyloxy) pregnene compound containin an azomethine or ketal groupin in the 3-position is reacted methine radical or ketal grouping is converted to a ketone thereby forming A -3keto-l1( 3)- hydroxy-20-cyano-2l-(hydroxy or acyloxy)- pregnene (Compound 6). When the compound thus obtained is the A -3-keto-11(fl),21-dihydroxy-ZO-cyano-pregnene, it is converted, by reaction with a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid anhydride, to the corresponding 21-acyl derivative, A 3 keto 11(5) hydroxy 2O cyano 21 acyloxy-pregnene. The resultin A -3-ket0-11- 3) hydroxy 20 cyano 21 acyloxy pregnene is then reacted with osmium tetroxide thereby producing the 17,20-osmate ester of 3 keto 11(B),1'7(a),20 trihydroxy 20 cyano-21-acyloxy-pregnane (Compound 7) which is then reacted with a hydrolyzing agent to form 3,20 diketo l1(p),l'T(a) dihydroxy 21 acyloxy-pregnane (Compound 8). The latter compound is then reacted with bromine to form 3,20 diketo 4 bromo 11(,6),1'T(a) dihydroxy 21 acyloxy pregnane (Compound 9) which is reacted with a dehydrohalogenating agent to form A 3,20-diketo-11(/8) ,17(a) -dihydroxy 21 acyloxy pregnene (Compound 10). This compound is reacted with a hydrolyzing agent to produce A -3,2D-diketo-11(,8),17(a),21- trihydroxy-pregnene, also known as Compound F (Compound 11). The reactions indicated hereinabove may be chemically represented as with a hydrolyzing agent, whereby the azofollows:

onion onion onion I-ON l-0N -ON o O o l I HzQ (R10)3CE 1 0 R o Q 0 I H 11 Rio n Compound 2 Compound 1 Compound 3 Alkali lmetal borohydride 1 1 531 735512 CHzOB CHzOR; CHzOR ;CN C-CN (f-0N Ho Ho (1) Hydrolyzing agent (2) Acylatlng Q agent 0 Compound 6 Hydroiyzlnz agent H0 (1) Hydrolyzing agent 10 (2) Acylating agent Compound 5 CHQOR:

Compound 8 g mm a .OHHJR': CHzORa (llHzOH v.431"! on f I ianyarzinmo- :genatmg' Hydrolyzing ti'gent agent Gompoundfi .Qoagponnd-l!) Compound 11 wherein 2R "is hydrogen bi annoy; 1 ea R1 is an alk-yl iadical, R2 is 9111 aoyl radii l, and- 624s eta-mine, sem oarbaaino or aryinyurazino radical.

In carrying out our novel process, o -"3, 11-

diketo-QO-0yano-2l hydroxy pregnene, or "a 2i- 'pre'gnene containing in the -3-po's i ti'on an azomethi-ne 'o'r ketal radical. Where the ketone reagent used is hydroxylainine, --'semic'arbazide :or *arylhydrazine, the compound obtained can be represented by the formula:

wherein R is hydrogen or acyl, and "Qifs an foximino, semicarbazido, or arylhydrazino radical. Where the ketone reagent utilized is an alkyl orthoformate, such as ethyl orthoformate, methyl orthoform'ate and the like, thereis obtained a compound of the formula:

GHifO-R wherein R1 is an alkyl radical, and '13. has the significance .hereinabove defined.

The reaction between the A 7'-,3;l1'diketo =20- cyano '21 (hyclroxy or acyloxy) pregnene and hydroxylamine, semicarb'azide orarymydr zine is conveniently conducted by bringing the reactants together in the presenee of a solvent,

such as water, acetic acid, alcohol, and the like. The ketonereagent is conveniently prepared by bringing together in the reaction mixture a salt of the ketone reagent, such as hydroxylamine hydrochloride, semicarbazide hydrochloride, and the like, and an alkaline material such as sodium acetate, pyridine, and the like. The mixture of A 3,11 dik eto' '20 cyano 21 (hydroxy or acyloxy)-pregnene, ketone reagent, and solvent is ordinarily heated, preferably at a temperature of about 70 C., for a peri'odiof two to three hours, thereby forming the A -3-(0ximino, semicar- :hazido 1or arylhydrazino) 11 keto -20 yano-Zl-(hyclroxy or acyloxy) rpregnene. This lprodu'c'tii's' conveniently recovered by evaporating the reaction mixture tosmall volume, and diluting .the solution with (water, whereupon the vtlesire'd Jpro'duot crystallizes ,and can be recovered 'hyvfiltration.

(The reaction involving an alkyl .orthoformate and n l. 8,11 diketo r20 cyan-o :21 :(hydroxy Xor :acyl'oxyi spreg nene, is conveniently carsriedzout by bringing the reactants together in the presence .of a substantially anhydrous .sol-

vent -as,. for example, benzene in the presence of stantially complete in approximately two hours.

The ketal thus produced is conveniently recovered from the reaction solution by first shaking the solution with an aqueous alkaline solution to neutralize the acidic catalyst, followed by evaporation of the organic layer whereby the desired n 3,3 t dialkox-y l-l -keto 2O oyano 2l-(hyd'roxy o r acyloxy)'-pregnene is obtained in the term .of an amorphous solid.

The -A -ll-keto-20 cyano 2l-(hydroxy or ab- .yloxyJ-pregene compound containing in the 3- position an azomethine 'or ketal substituent, is

- then reacted with an'alkali metal borohyclr'i'de,

' such as'lithiur'n borohydride, sodium borohydride,

and the like, whereby the ket'o sub'stituent in the l-l-position is converted to an 11(5) -hydrox-yl radical Without substantially affecting the unsaturated carbon-nitrogen'linkages in the cyanoradicalatta'ched to the 20-carbo'n atom, and without substanuauy affecting the azomethine or groupings to thecorresponding amines.)

ketal grouping in the 3-posit'ion. (The fact that the oarbon -ni'trogenlinkages in the molecule are notappreciably affected by the alkali metal borohydride reducing agent is indeed surprising since other reducing agents, such as lithium aluminum hydride, reduce cyano radicals and a zomethine The compound thus produced is the corresponding A -116 3)-hydroxy-20-'cyano-2l-(hydroxy or act nny) pr'egneno compoun containing in the 3- bositionanazomethme or ketal grouping. These wherein R, R1 and Q have the significance hereinabove defined.

The reaction between the A -1i-keto-20- cyano-2l-(hydroxy or acy1oxy)-pregnene compound and the alkali metal borohydride is ordinarily carried out by bringing the reactants into intimate contact in the presence of a diluent, preferably in the presence of a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl-formamide, diethyl ether, and the like. It is ordinarily preferred to carry out the reaction by adding a tetrahydrofuran solution of the A "-11-keto-20-cyano-2l- (hydroxy or acyloxy)-pregnene compound to a solution of the alkali metal borohydride in tetrahydrofuran. This addition of the ll-keto compound to the reducing agent is preferably conducted portionwise, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at approximately 25 C. However, with the more active alkali metal borohydride (e. g. lithium borohydride) the reaction can be carried out at a lower temperature with lengthening of the reaction time. Conversely, with the less active sodium borohydride, a higher temperature may be necessary, it ordinarily being preferred to conduct the reaction, when using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent, at a temperature of about 60-70" C. Thus, although it is ordinarily preferred to maintain the reaction temperature at about 25 0., it may be preferred to employ somewhat lower temperatures down to 0., when using lithium borohydride, as well as higher temperatures up to 70 0., when using sodium borohydride. When the reaction is carried out using lithium borohydride at a temperature of about (3., the reaction is ordinarily substantially complete in less than. approximately one hour. When the reaction is carried out using sodium borohydride at the preferred temperature for this reducing agent of about 65 C., the reaction is substantially complete in less than 24 hours.

The resulting A -11(5) -hyclroxy-20-cyano-21- (hydroxy or acyloxy)-pregnene compound containing in the 3-position an azomethine or ketal grouping is recovered from the reaction mixture by conventional means. This is ordinarily accomplished by cautiously acidifying the reaction mixture, preferably utilizing aqueous acetic acid, thereby decomposing excess alkali metal borohydride. The A -11(5)-hydroxy-20-cyano-21-(hy- 8 droxy or acyloxy)-pregnene compound can then be recovered by evaporating the reaction mixture to a small volume, preferably in vacuo, and diluting the concentrate with water. The product which separates, frequently in the form of an oil, can then be extracted from this aqueous mixture utilizing conventional water-immiscible solvents such as benzene, ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and the like. The extract of A -11(,8)-hydroxy- 2O cyano 21 (hydroxy or acyloxy) pregnene compound is then purified by conventional means, as for example, by washing successively with water and dilute aqueous alkaline solution, followed by drying. The product is recovered from the extract by evaporating the solvent therefrom, and can be further purified by recrystallization from solvents such as aqueous acetone, benzene, and the like. Where recrystallization from an organic solvent alone is insufficient to accomplish purification, it has been found convenient to I subject the extract to a preliminary chromatographic fractionation utilizing activated alumina as the adsorbent.

The A -11(5) -hydroxy-20-cyano-21- (hydroxy or acyloxy) -pregnene compound containing in the 3-position an azomethine or ketal grouping is then reacted with an acidic hydrolyzing agent, thereby producing A 3 keto 11(5) ,21 dihy droxy-ZD-cyano-pregnene or a 2l-acyl derivative thereof such as A -3-keto-11(p)-hydroxy-20- .cyano 21 acetoxy pregnene, A 3 keto 11(5) hydroxy 20 cyano-Zl-propionoxy pregnene, A 3 keto 11(5) -hydroxy-20-cyano-21- benzoxy-pregnene, and the like. In the case of A -11m) -hydroxy-20-cyano-21- (hydroxy or acyloxy) -pregnene compounds containing a 3-azomethine substituent, it is common to conduct the hydrolysis under acid conditions in the presence of a carbonyl acceptor, as for example, pyruvic acid, benzoyl formic acid, and the like. The hydrolysis reaction is conveniently carried out by heating the mixture of reactants at an elevated temperature of about C. under which conditions the hydrolysis reaction is ordinarily substantially complete in approximately 4 hours. In

the case of A -11(5)-hydroxy-20-cyano-21-(hydroxy or acyloxy) -pregnene compounds containing a 3-ketal grouping, the reaction is conveniently carried out by allowing the pregnene compound to stand in solution in the presence of a mineral acid, such as aqueous hydrochloric acid, aqueous sulfuric acid, and the like, at a temperature of approximately 25 C. for a period of about 15-20 hours, The A "-3-keto-11(;3)-hydroxy-20- cyano-Zl-(hydroxy or acyloxy) -pregnene obtained by either of the foregoing hydrolysis procedures, is recovered from the hydrolysis mixture by conventional means as, for example, by evaporating said mixture in vacuo and extracting the concentrate containing A -3-keto-11(fl)-hydroxy 20 cyano 21 (hydi'oxy or acyloxy) pregnene with a solvent such as ethyl acetate.

Although either A 3 keto 11(5) ,21 dihydroxy-Z(l-cyano-pregnene or its 2l-acyl derivative can be used in the subsequent reaction with osmium tetroxide, it is ordinarily preferred to utilize the A -3-keto-11Q3)-hydroxy-20-cyanozl-acyloxy-pregnene in this reaction. The A S-keto-IMB) ,2l-dihydroxy-20 cyano pregnene is preferably converted to its 2l-acyl derivative by reaction with an acylating agent. It is ordinarily preferred to utilize, as the acylating agent for this reaction, a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid anhydride such as acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, and the like, and to carry out the The A -3-keto-11(p) -hydroxy-20 cyano 21- acyloxy-pregnene is then treated with osmium tetroxide, preferably in the presence of an oranic solvent such as pyridine, thereby forming the 17,20-osmate ester of the corresponding 3- keto-lhe) ,17-(11) ,ZO-trihydroxy 2.0 cyano 21- acyloxy-pregnane, such as the I 17,20-osmate ester of 3-keto 11(5) ,17 (a) ,20' trihydroxy 20- cyano-2l-acetoxy-pregnane, the 17,20 -osmate ester of 3-keto 11(5) ,17(a) ,20 trihydroxy- 2Q- cyano-2l-propionoxy-pregnane, the 17,2 -osmate ester of 3-keto 11(5) ,17(a) ,20 trihydroxy 20- cyano-2l-benzoxy-pregnane and the like. The 17,20-osmate ester of the 3-keto-1l(;8-),l7(e),20 trihydro'xy-20-cyano-2l-acyloxy-pregnane, prepared as described above, is then reacted with a hydrolyzing agent. Instead of isolating the osmate ester, the reaction solution obtained from the osymlation reaction may be used, after neutralization, in this hydrolysis operation. The hydrolysis reaction can be carried out utilizing, as the hydrolyzing agent, either an aqueous alkaline solution containing a reducing agent, as for example an aqueous alkaline solution of formaldehyde, an aqueous alkaline solution of ascorbic acid, an aqueous alkaline solution of mannitol, an aqueous alkaline solution of an alkali metal sulfi'te such as sodium sulfite, and the like, or if desired, an aqueous solution of a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, and the like. The preferred hydrolyzing agent comprises aqueous sodium sulfite and sodium bicarbonate, and the hydrolysis reaction is conveniently carried out at room temperature. Under these preferred hydrolysis conditions, the reaction is ordinarily substantially complete in approximately 15-20 hours. The reaction mixture is filtered, evaporated to small volume and extracted with. an organic solvent such as chloroform and the like. The organic solvent extract is then evaporated to dryness to produce the 3,20-diketo-11(,e),- 1'7 (a) -dihydroxy-21-acyloxy-pregnane,

The 3,20-diketo 11(5) ,17(a) dihydroxy 21- acyloxy-p-regnane is then reacted with bromine, preferably in the presence of acetic acid, thereby producin the corresponding 3,20 diketo-4- bromo-ll ([3) ,17 (a) -dihydroxy2l-acyloxy pregnane. This compound is conveniently recovered from the reaction mixture by diluting the same with water and extracting the resulting suspension with an. organic solvent such as chloroform. The organic solvent extract is washed with water, evaporated. to dryness and the residual material. is purified by recrystalliza tion from a solvent as, for example, an. organic solvent mixture such as acetone-ether.

The 320-diketo-4 bromo- 11 3) ,17(a)' dihydroxy-Zl-acyloxy-pregnane. is then. reacted. with a dehydrohalogenating agent, such. as pyridine, or semicarbazide followed. by aqueous pyruvic acid, whereby the. elements of hydrogen bromide are removed from the molecule to produce" the corresponding A -3,2O-diketo-11(p'),17(m) --dih-ydroxy-Zl-aoyloxy-pregnene, as for example, A 3,20-diketo-1l([i),l7(a) '-dihydroxy-21. acetoxypregnene, A -3,20-diketo-1 l (p)- ,17 (a) -dihydroxy- 2l-propionoxy-pregnene, and the like; The de-;' hydrohalogenation reaction, where pyridine is employed, is conveniently carried out by heating the reaction mixture under reflux for a period of approximately 5 hours. The pyridine: is then evaporated under. reduced pressure, the residuat material is; dissolved in. an organic solvent? such tion is conveniently carried out by reactingthe 1-0 as chloroform, and the organic solvent extract is Washed with dilute aqueous acid solution (to remove residual pyridine) and then with water. The organic. solvent extract is then evaporated under reduced pressure, and. the residual material purified by recrystallization from a solvent such as a lower aliphatic alcohol to produce, in substantially pure form, the corresponding A 3,20-dike'to-11(fi)',l'7 (a) -dihydroxy 21 acyloxypregnene. Alternatively, the dehydrohalogena- 3,20-diketo-4-bromo-11(/3),17(a)-dihydroxy' 21- acyloxy-pregnane with semicarbazide, which reaction is preferably conducted by heating the reactants together in acetic acid solution for a period of approximately two hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled, and a mixture of anhydrous sodium acetate and aqueous pyruvic acid is added to the cooled mixture. The resulting mixture is heated to a temperature of C. for a period of four hours. The product contained in the reaction mixture is conveniently recovered by dilutin the reaction mixture with water and evaporating the mixture under reduced pressure to a small volume, whereupon the product crystallizes therefrom and can be recovered by filtration to give the desired A -3,20-diket0-I-1(B), 1'7 a) .-dihydroxy-21-acyloxy-pregnene.

The following examplesillustrate methods of carrying out the present invention, but it is to 'be understood that these'example's-are giverifor purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Example I A mixture of 35.5 g. of n -all-diketo-z-i-hydrOXy-ZO cyaHO-pregnene, 22.2 g. of ethyl orthoformate, 0.69 g. of absolute ethyl alcohol, 200 m1. of sodium-dried benzene and 10 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid was heated with occasional agitation at a temperature of Til- C. for a period of approximately 2 hours. The resulting light-brown benzene reaction solution was cooled to room temperature and 5 g. of solid sodium bicarbonate was added followed by 150 ml. of a 5% aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. The mixture was shaken. vigorously, and the aqueous layer was separated from the benzene solution.

The aqueous layer was then extracted with two mlportions of ether, and the ether extracts were combined with the benzene solution. The combined benzene-ether solution was washed withtwo ml. portions of water, one 100 ml. portion of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and then dried over 10 g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvents were then evaporated in vacuo from the dry'benzene-ether solution to give 45.5- g. of A -3',3-diethoxy-1l-keto-ZO-cyanwZlhydroxy-preghene, which was? obtained in the form" of a fluffy, pale-yellow, amophous solid the infr'a' red absorption spectrum (chloroform: so1ution) showedthe principal bands at 2.85 mp. OH), 4.57m (-CN),- 6.08-m C=C' and are m,1( -C -O-- the ultraviolet absorption spectrum exhibited" ifig 'z'zao i, 364 Example 2 Forty-five grams of n -sfi diethoxy ll keto 20-GYQI10-21 hydl'oxy-l lemefie, obtained as de scribed hereinab'c u' e;was dissolved 300 ml. or dry tetrahydrofuran (dried over metallic sodium) 75 and this solution was added=, dropwi'se, with agitation over a one-half hour period, to a solution of 9.7 g. of lithium borohydride in 300 ml. of dry t ydrofuran, while maintaining the tempera ture of the mixture at approximately 25 C. The resulting mixture was stirred for an additional period of twenty minutes at a temperature of 25 C., and was then cooled and stirred for ten minutes at about C. Six hundred milliliters of aqueous acetic acid containing 120 ml. of glacial acetic acid was added cautiously, with stirring, to the resulting mixture whereupon a vigorous evolution of gas occurred. The resulting mixture was evaporated in vacuo to give a volume of approximately 600 m1, and the concentrated solution was then diluted with approximately 600 ml. of water. The oily organic layer which separated was extracted from the mixture utilizing 600 ml. of a 5:1 benzene-ether mixture followed by two 200 ml. portions of benzene. The combined benzene-ether extracts were washed with two 200 ml. portions of water, one 200 ml. portion of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, and one 200 ml. portion of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The washed benzeneether extract was then dried over 30 g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the dry solution was filtered, and the solvents were evaporated therefrom in vacuo to give 4.0.1 g. of crude A -3,3- diethoxy-l 1 (e) 21-dihydroxy-20-cyano-pregnene which was obtained in the form of a fiufiy, paleyellow, amorphous solid.

Example 3 -Forty and one-tenth grams of crude A -3,3- diethoxy-l 1 (B) .21-dihydroxy-20-cyano-pregnene, prepared as described hereinabove, was dissolved in a mixture of 425 ml. of acetone and 55 ml. of water. To this solution was added 4.0 ml. of 2.5N aqueous hydrochloric acid, and the resulting solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of about30 hours. Twentyfive milliliters of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution was then added to the reaction mixture, and the resulting solution was evaporated in vacuo to a small volume, thereby evaporating substantially all of the acetone present in the solution; during this evaporation, a pale-yellow oil separated. The residual material was diluted with 800 ml. of water, and the oily organic material was extracted from the aqueous mixture utilizing one 400 ml. portion and two 300 ml. portions of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were washed successively with one 300 ml. portion of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and one 300 ml. portion of water, and the washed chloroform extracts were then dried over g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dry chloroform was filtered and the chloroform evaporated in vacuo to give 388 g. of crude A -3- keto 11(5) ,21 dihydroxy cyano pregnene which was obtained in the form of a pale, buff-colored, partly crystalline solid. This crude material, after one recrystallization from aqueous acetone, gave 15.3 g. of substantially pure A 3- keto 11(5),21 dihydroxy 20 cyano pregnene which was obtained in the form or colorless needles; M. P. 2165-2165 C. (melted partly at 206 0., then resolidified). An analytically pure sample obtained by several recrystallizations from aqueous acetone melted at 2175-2215 C. (melted partly at 207-210 C., then solidified); [a] =+24.4: (1.03 in acetone);

12 AnaZysis.-Calcd for CzzHaiOaNc C, 73.91; H, 8.74; Found: C, 74.12; H, 8.73.

Example 4 Two and thirty two hundreths grams of A 3,3-diethoxy-11-keto-20-cyano-21-hydroxy-pregnene was dissolved in 20 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, and to this solution was added a solution of 0.84 g. of sodium borohydride in 10 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, 10 m1. of water and 0.2 ml. of 2.5N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The mixture was heated under reflux for a period of approximately twenty hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, and 35 ml. of 10% aqueous acetic acid was added to the cooled mixture thereby decomposing excess sodium borohydride.

The resulting clear, colorless solution was evaporated in vacuo to a volume or about 40-50 ml., and the pale-yellow oil which separated was extracted with three 50 ml. portions of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts were combined and the resulting ethyl acetate solution was washed successively with two 50 ml. portions of water, with two 50 ml. portions of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, with one 50 ml. portion of water, and with one 50 ml. portion of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The washed ethyl acetate solution wasdried over 5 g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solution was filtered, and the solvent was evaporated therefrom in vacuo to give 1.985 g. of A -3,3- diethoxy-ll (5) ,2l-dihydroxy-20-cyano-pregnene which was obtained in the form of a pale, buffcolored, amorphous solid.

This material was dissolved in 25 ml. of acetone, and to this solution was added 5 ml. of water and 0.2 ml. of 2.5N aqueous hydrochloric acid. This solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of approximately twenty hours, 5.0 ml. of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and 20 ml. of water were added thereto, and the resulting solution was evaporated in vacuo to a small volume, thereby removing the major portion of the acetone. The buff-colored oil which separated was extracted with one 50 ml. portion and two 30 ml. portions and two 30 ml. portions of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts were combined and the ethyl acetate solution was washed successively with two 10 ml. portions of water, with one 40 ml. portion of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, with one 40 ml. portion of water, and with one 40 ml. portion of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The washed ethyl acetate solution was dried over 5 g. of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solution was filtered, and the ethyl acetate was evaporated therefrom in vacuo to give a partly crystalline pale, buff-colored residue weighing 1.705 g. This material was recrystallized from acetone to give 0.73 g. of substantially pure A 3 keto 11(B),21 dihydroxy 20- cyano-pregnene which was obtained in the form of rosettes of heavy colorless needles; M. P. 215218 C. with softening at 213 C. (partly melted at 203-206 C. then resolidified); no depression in melting point was observed when this material was mixed with A -3-keto-11(p),2l-dihydroxy 20 cyano pregnene prepared as described in Example 3.

Example 5 Twenty grams of Li -3,1l-diketo-ZO-cyano-Zlhydroxy-pregnene was dissolved in 300 ml. of glacial acetic acid and to this solution was added a solution containing 12.55 g. of semi-carbazide hyd-rochioridef and. 12.55 g of anhydrous sodium acetate dissolved 28 ml. of water and 28- ml.- of g lacial acetic acid; t'helatter solution was rinsed into the reactionmixture With? anadd-F tional 44- of glacialacetic acids The resultins mixture was heated to atemperattire of 65'- 709 C. for a period of approximately two and one-half hour's dl-lliI-lg which time a small amountof crystal-line material sepa "ated The resulting suspension was evaporated: 1 vacuo to a thick slurry of crystalline solid; and 200- m1. of water" was added to said slurry. Theresulting aqueous mixture was agitated vigorously to suspend caked' material, the slurry was then" filtered and 'the crystalline" productwashed twice; with Waterto give 242 g; of colorless needles which melted at" 225-230 C. with evolution of Gne re-' crystallization of this product from" methanolchloroform afforded 29.2 g; of substantially pure A -3'-S6miC Etrb2tZid0' ll keto 26- cyan'o- 2 1 hydroxy-pregnene; M. P: 238=240 C (vi'goiouS evolution of gas), This product was further purified by repeatedrecrystalli'zation frommoth-- anol-chloroform and the product driectat 140 C. to give analytically pure A '-3-se'micarbazido-' 1l-keto-20 cyano-z'lf-hydroxy-pregnene;- M. P; 244-245" C. (evolution of gas).

minimis -Galen. for CzzHsaO'aNir N, 1358; Found: N, 13.47.

Example 6 Twelve and thirty-six hundredths grams of Al -3-sem-icarbazido 1-l= -keto cyanov- 21-- hydroxy-preg-nene P. 238-240 C.) was dissolved in- 1500 ml; of dry tetrahyd-rofuran (dried. over metallic sodium), and: this. solution was: added, with. stirring. over a. period. oi approximately one-half hour, to: a. solutionv of 4-.36' g. of lithium borohydride in. 20o ml; of dry tetrahydrofuran, while maintaining. the? temperature of the; mixture, at. approximately 25- Cy. The resulting; mixture was stirred for; an additional period. or twenty minutes at a temperature: of 25 C'.,-. and was then: cooled and. stirred for tern min tes. at: about 5 G. Four hundred and. fifty milliliters of aqueous acetic acid containing 51.5 ml. ofglacial acetic acid was added cautiously... with stirring, to the resulting mixture; and the: clear. colorless reaction mix-tu-ree was evaporated inv vacuo under a nitrogen atmosphere to-a. volume. of approximately 40o ml. The colorless; oilyorganicmaterial; which separated was extracted from the mixture utilizing one 35c Ink. portionv of chloroform and two 150. mhportions of chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were washed with two 256 ml. portions ofwater, and with one 2% nil. portion of 5% aqueous sodiumbicarhonate solution, and thewashed chloroform extracts were dried over 1-0 g. of anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dry chloroform solution was then filtered and the chloroform evaporated to give 11.5 g. of crude a -s -semicarbazido- 1l(}9-)'-,2'1-dihydroxy 20 cyano-pr'egnene which was obtained inth form or a gummy, Susicolored solid.

Four and five tenthsgrams of this material was mixed with E5 ml. of glacial acetic acid). 715- m1. of water, 9.05 g. of anhydrous sodium acetate and 9.0 ml. of 96% pyruvic acid, and the mixture was heated at a temperature of 8-0 G. in an atmosphere of nitrogen for a period of about three hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, an additional O.9 ml.

02 96% pyruvic' acid was added thereto, and. the" resultingmixture Was heated under nitrogen at a temperature of 86 0. for anaddiucnai one hour period.- The resulting-mixture. was allowed to. stand overnight at roe-m temperature: where upon a considerable quantity'of: crystalline material separated; Onehundred and eighty: milli liters of water was added to this; mixture... and the organic material: was. extracted: therefrom utilizing one: 802 portionand three ml. poritions of chloroform.v Thecombineid chloroformv extracts were washed with two so portions of water, two so mlaportions: or 5 aqueous sodium. bicarbonate? solution, againwith: 5.0 t n-1;. ofi water,- and the washed chloroform. solution was, thendried over 5 g. of anhydrous magnesium.- sulfate. The dry chloroform solution was: then filtered and the? solvent was-evaporated from. the.

filtrate in: vacuo: to give. 4.25! gr. of. partly crystalline; light, buff colored material. This produc 't, after one recrystallization from. acetone, afiorded L g. of substantially pure. A -3i-keto.-- 11613:) ,21--dihydroxy20 cyano -pregnene; which was obtained the fo'rm of colorless needles; P. Had-21:53.5 C (melted partly at 206.5. to. 208 01, then resol'idi fiectr; there was no depression melting pointwhen this material was ad mixed with A -3-ketoll( 3),ZI-dihYdrOXy Zilcyano-pregnene as prepared via the 3-diethyl ketal as described in Example 3- hereinaoove.

Eirampl'el 7 Five grams: of AA- -BFketo-ll (mg2i-dihydroxy- 2o cyano-pregn-enev was warmed: gently with m1 oi acetic anhydride until the material had completely dissolved Eight milliliters of p-yridine added to the solution, and the resuiting. mixture was heated at a temperature of- 65 C. for a period of' approximately one half hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, 20 m1. of water was added thereto withexternal cooling", and thermixturewas vigo'rously agitatedto. decomposethe excess acetic pension was then cooled to about 043; and stirredfoi about two hours at that" temperature; The slurry was filtered and the crystalline product was washed with four 25. m1. portions of water, and. dried at 60 C. overnight to give approximately 5.27 g; of substantially pure A -sketcwhich was olotail'ied"v in the form of colorless needles; M; P; 169-171;" C. This material was repeatedly recrystallized from. acetone-ether to give colorless needles of analytically pure A -'3- keto 11(5) hydroxy 2o cyano 21 acetoxypregnene; P. 1'70-I7l.5'' (1.; EaT F '='+32-. l (1102,. acetone);

x 2230 25;, Eli... 354

Analysii-Calddhfkif CirHs'sOAN: C, 72115; H, 8.33; Found: C, 71.93; H; 8.37.

' Exampla8;

Forty-five hundredths gram of A -sketc- IUB) -hydrox'y'- 20- cyano-2i-acetox-y-pregnene, prepared as described. in Example 7 hereina oove, was dissolved in- 4.5 ml. of-o'enzene containing 0-.3 ml. of pyridine, 0.31 g. of osmium tetroxide was added to the solution, and the resulting mixture was allowed to stand; at room. temperature for a period of approximately sixty hours. (After about six hours crystalline material separated and-could he recovered by filtration, if desired, and driedto give the 17-20 osmate esterof 3- keto 11(5) ,17(a) ,ZG-trihydroxy cyano-21- acetoxy-pregnane.) The final reaction mixture was diluted with m1. of chloroform and 0.30 g. of filtercel was added to the mixture. One milliliter of concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid was then added dropwise with stirring to the resulting suspension, and the suspension was stirred for a period of approximately four hours. The solid material was removed by filtration and washed thoroughly with hot chloroform. The filtered chloroform solution was washed once by shaking with water, and was then stirred vigorously for a period of about one hour with a solution containing 1.1 g. of potassium carbonate dissolved in 21 ml. of water. The chloroform layer was separated, washed once with 15 ml. water, dried over 4. g. of anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the dry chloroform solution filtered. The filtered chloroform solution was then evaporated in vacuo to a volume of approximately 5.5 ml.; this u solution can be evaporated to dryness, if desired, to give 3,20 dilreto 11(6) ,l7(a) dihydroxy-21- acetoxy-pregnane, contaminated with a small amount of 3,20-diketo11(;3) .1701) ,21-trihydroxypregnane.

To the concentrated solution (volume 5.5 ml.) was added 0.11 ml. of pyridine and 0.27 ml. of acetic anhydride. The resulting solution was heated at a temperature of approximately 60-435 C. for a period of approximately one-half hour, and the reaction solution was cooled to approximately 0 C. 16 ml. of petroleum ether (B. P. 30-60 C.) was added to the cooled solution, whereupon crystalline material separated. The

resulting slurry was filtered, and the crystalline material was washed twice with petroleum ether (13. P. 30-60 0.), and dried to give approximately 0.35 g. of substantially pure 3,20-diketo- 11(3) .17 (a) -dihydroxy 21 acetoxy pregnane. This material was further purified by repeated recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether (B. P. 30-60 C.) to give analytically pure 3,20-diketo-11(B) .1701) -dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-pregnane which was obtained as colorless prisms; M. P. 217.6-219.8 C.; [11], -=+86.6 (1.05, acetone).

AnaZysz's.-Calcd for Cal-1340a: C, 67.95; H, 8.43; Found: C, 68.20; H, 8.19.

Example 9 Fortyfive hundredths gram of A -3-keto- 11(5) -hydroxy 20 cyano-2l-acetoxy-pregnene, prepared as described in Example 7 hereinabove, was dissolved in 4.5 ml. of benzene (thiophenefree) containing 0.3 ml. of pyridine, and 0.31 g. of osmium tetroxide was added to the solution. The mixture was agitated to bring the components into solution, and the resulting solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of approximately forty-eight hours; (crystallization of the 17,20 osmate ester of keto 11(5) ,17(a) ,20-trihydroxy 20 cyano-21 acetoxy-pregnane was noted after approximately six hours).

At the end of forty-eight hours, the reaction mixture was mixed with 21.2 cc. of water, 6.2 ml. of benzene, 14.? ml. of methanol and an intimate mixture of 2.20 g. of potassium bicarbonate with 2.02 g. of sodium sulfite. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for a period of approximately twenty hours, thereby hydrolyzing the osmate ester. The hydrolysis mixture was filtered to remove the precipitated osmium salts, and the filtered material was washed with four 25 ml. portions of hot chloroform. The filtrate and washings were combined, the layers were separated, and the aqueous phase was then evaporated in vacuo to approximately one-third its initial volume. The concentrated aqueous solution was extracted with seventeen 10 ml. portions of chloroform, and the chloroform washings and extracts were combined and dried over 10 g. of anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dry chloroform solution was then filtered and evaporated to dryness to give 3,20-diketo-11(p) ,17(a) dihydroxy-2l-acetoxy-pregnane which was obtained as a crystalline solid, contaminated with a small amount of 3,20-diketo-1l(6),17(a),21- trihydroxy-pregnane.

This material was dissolved in 5 m1. of acetic anhydride, 2 ml. of pyridine was added to the solution, and the resulting solution was heated at a temperature of 60-70 C. for a period of about thirty minutes. At the end of this time, the excess acetic anhydride was cautiously decomposed by adding 2.3 ml. of water to the acetylation mixture, with cooling. Thirty milliliters of water was then slowly added, with swirling, to the resulting solution, whereupon a precipitate formed. The resulting slurry was allowed to stand at a temperature of approximately 0 C. for about 1 hour, and the precipitated material was recovered by filtration. The filtered material was washed with five 10 ml. portions of water, and dried at a temperature of 60 C. to give 0.36 g. of substantially pure 3,20-diketo-11(,8) ,17(a)-dlhydroxy-2l-acetoxy-pregnane; M. P. 205-210 C.

This material was further purified by dissolving it in 15 cc. of hot acetone, treating the acetone solution for a period of 10-15 minutes with 0.08 g. of activated charcoal (Nuchar), and the resulting charcoal slurry was filtered through diatomaceous silica (Supercel). The filtered acetone solution was evaporated to a volume of 5 to 6 ml., and '70 ml. of petroleum ether (B. P. 30-60 C.) was carefully added to the concentrated acetone solution, whereupon a crystalline product separated. The slurry was allowed to stand for approximately one hour to complete crystallization, the crystalline material was recovered by filtration, washed with three 10 ml. portions of petroleum ether (B. P. 3060 C.), and dried to give 0.29 g. of substantially pure 3,20-diketo- 1108) ,1'701) dihydroxy 21 acetoxy-pregnane; M. P. 214-215 C.; no depression in melting point was observed when this compound was mixed with 3,20-diketo-11q3) ,1'701) -dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-pregnane prepared as described in Example 8 hereinabove.

Example 10 One half gram of 3,20-diketo-11(a),17(a) -dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-pregnane was dissolved in 10 ml. of glacial acetic acid containing 0.25 ml. of 1 N hydrogen bromide in acetic acid, and to this solution was added dropwise, with stirring, over a five-minute period, a mixture of 1.13 ml. of 2.05 N bromine in acetic acid and 1.12 ml. of 1M sodium acetate in acetic acid. The resulting mixture was stirred for an additional period of approximately 15 minutes, at the end of which time 6 ml. of water was added, dropwise, to the reaction mixture, whereupon the solution become cloudy and crystalline material separated. The resulting slurry was cooled at about 0 C. for a period of approximately four and one-half hours, and the crystalline material was recovered by filtration and dried to give 0.20 g. of 3,20-diketo-4- bromo-11(;3) ,17(a) dihydroxy-21- acetoxy-pregnene which was obtained in the form of colorless needles; m. p. 186-187 0., dec. A substantially pure sample of 3,20-diketo-4-bromo-1Hp) ,1701) Example 11 One hundred and four thousandths gram of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 0.114 g. of anhydrous sodium acetate were dissolved in 2-2.5 m1. of glacial acetic acid containing 0.5 ml. of water, and this solution was added to a solution containing 0.15 g. of 3,20-diketo-4-bromo-1Hfl),- 17(a.) -dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-pregnane dissolved in 7.5 ml. of glacial acetic acid. The resulting mixture was heated at a temperature of about 65-67 C. in an atomsphere of nitrogen for a period of approximately two hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and 1.43 g. of anhydrous sodium acetate and 1.4 ml. of 90% aqueous pyruvic acid was added to the cooled mixture. The resulting mixture was then heated at a temperature of about 7072 C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen for a period of about four hours, and was then allowed to stand at room temperature for an additional twelve-hour period. Sixty milliliters of water were added to the reaction mixture, and the resultingsolution was evaporated in vacuo to a volume of about 5 ml. Twenty milliliters of water were added to the concentrated solution whereupon crystalline material separated which was recovered by filtration, washed thoroughly with water, and dried to give 0.70 g. of substantially pure A -3,20-diketo- 11( B),17(a) dihydroxy -21 acetoxypregnene which was obtained in the form of light, bufi-colored microprisms; M. P. 208214 C. with slight previous softening. This mixture was further purified by a single recrystallization from ethyl acetate to give analytically pure A -3,20- diketo-ll (p) ,17 (a) dihydroxy-21- acetoxy-pregnene which was obtained in the form of colorless prisms; M. P. 218.5-220.5 C. with slight previous softening (microblock) 18 the melting point of a mixture of this material with an authentic sample of 17(a) -hydroxycorticosterone acetate showed no depression; the identity of the material prepared as described above with said authentic sample was further confirmed by comparative infra-red spectra.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the annexed claims, they are to be considered as part of our invention.

We claim:

1. Compounds of the formula:

CHzOR References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sarett Feb. 13, 1951 Number 

1. COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA: 